Monday, 26 September 2022

Unlikely Witnesses - Leslea Wahl - All For 1 Episode 3

Unlikely Witnesses
All For 1 Episode 3   
Leslea Wahl
Ministry Thru Mystery
ISBN 9781732903777
ASIN B0B9FN332M


I read a different edition of this book about four years ago. Wahl is now rebranding her shorter works with these characters in the ‘All for One' series. I picked up this new edition and reread the story over a few sittings. Sometimes great things come in small packages, that was my first thought upon finishing this novella the first time, and that opinion remains. This story continues sometime after the short story that was part of the anthology Secrets: Visible & Invisible 7 Amazing Stories from Catholic Teen Books. That story combines the main characters from the novels The Perfect Blindside and An Unexpected Role. This story is strong enough to be read on its own. It is a great story to be read as a stand alone, or as an introduction to the characters from the other stories, and now as part of the story arc of the ‘All for One' books, or if you have already read the other novels. I loved not only the story but how it was told. 

The family vacation to a dude ranch in the Colorado Rockies, ends us throwing another mystery at the 4 teens. But first the story is told as FBI Agent Martinez is interviewing 4 teen witnesses. The story begins with these words:

“Sometimes fifteen minutes can make all the difference. Fifteen minutes later and he would’ve been gone for the day. A mere quarter of an hour…and this would’ve been someone else’s problem.”

But sometimes God has a plan even when we do not see it, and occasionally when we are trying to avoid it. Each of the four teens were witness to something, but at the beginning we do not know what. We have from The Perfect Blindside Jake and Sophie. And from An Unexpected Role we have Josie and Ryan. Martinez separates the witness into 4 interrogation rooms. He just wants to get their statements and get away for the weekend to his solitude at his cabin fishing. He begins by interviewing Josie DelRio, then he continues the story with Ryan, next is Sophie Metcalf. At that point it is getting late and he gathers the three he has interviewed with Jake to hear the end of the tale. 

It was really fun reading as each of the teens told part of the events of the last few days that lead to them being witnesses and giving their statements to the FBI. The story has the family fun of a vacation with three generations together. The continuing story of the two couples. The extreme competitiveness of Jake and Ryan, that seem to be able to turn anything into a competition. And the mystery, first a missing calf, and other missing items from farms and ranches around the one they are staying at. Seeing a guy who seems out of place in the woods. And spotting a campsite with 4 guys who appear to be up to something. An encounter with a pawn broker that does not seem completely forthcoming. And four young adults who are just trying to do the right thing.

The description of this book is:

“When four friends vacation together in the Colorado Rockies, they expect a week of hiking, biking, and rafting - not being interrogated by the FBI.

Unlikely Witnesses combines the characters of Leslea Wahl's award-winning YA mysteries, The Perfect Blindside and An Unexpected Role, in an all-new adventure.

Jake is a silver-medal-winning snowboarder. His famous face makes it hard to go anywhere unnoticed. Sophie, his devoted girlfriend, is an aspiring journalist whose camera is never far from her side.

Sophie's cousin Ryan, a high school baseball star, enjoys an ongoing prank war with his cousin. His girlfriend Josie adds excitement to all situations with her uncanny flair for the dramatic.

Between Josie's mishaps, Jake's celebrity status, and Sophie and Ryan's friendly feud their peaceful family vacation turns into a comedic adventure. But, when these four teens stumble upon a mystery, things become downright dangerous.

The fun and intrigue of this short story is paired with a reminder that if we live our lives as Christians, we never know when we might be a witness for Christ.”

It was great to reread this story. It was hard to put down and we are left wanting more adventures with the young adults and their families. It is clean Christian fiction. It is great Catholic Literature. It has great characters, and is a wonderful story, and a format for delivering the story. It is another great read from Leslea Wahl’s masterful pen!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by Leslea Wahl:
To Serve and Protect

Finding Faith Series:
Into the Spotlight
Charting the Course
…
An Unexpected Role – Republished as Into The Spotlight
…

Blind Side Series:

All For One:
Unlikely Witness (Original Edition)
…

Contributed to:








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Sunday, 25 September 2022

A Weekend of Three’s A Trip to Stratford

A Weekend of Three’s

In August I found myself on a trip to Stratford by myself. Our three children that live at home were all out of town. My wife celebrated a significant birthday that week and with no kids home she wanted some time with girlfriends. Several friends came over Friday and played games, had food and a few stayed the night. Many hung around and others stayed over Saturday. Normally I would have gone to Kingston and stayed with my brother but they were away on a Star Wars Cruise. I had been more than willing to go and stay at my in laws; we have keys, even though I am allergic to the 3 cats. Our youngest two were away with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law at a cottage in the Soo. But my wife wanted me to get out and have some fun. I do not like to spend money on myself, other than for books. 

I ended up renting a B&B in downtown Stratford, the cheapest I could find in the region. It was a nice room in a clean house and less than half the price of anything else in the region. I switched to this one a few days before travel. I went to Stratford my B&B was a 20 minute walk to down town and the Festival Theatre Halls. I watched three plays, read three books, wrote three book reviews and three articles, and had three great meals at restaurants recommended by a local friend. I ran into another friend at mass and met his family. I see him monthly at a Recollection at home in Kitchener. I spent a lot of time walking and a lot of time alone. I parked the car Friday when I got there and it did not move until I checked out on Sunday. It was a blessing.



3 Plays:
Richard III
Hamlet
The Miser

Three Books Read:

Three Book Reviews:

Three Articles:

Three Great Meals:
The restaurants were recommended by a co-worker who lives in Stratford.

Mercer Kitchen – Spicy Pork Dumplings, The Mercer Classic Burger with side salad.


Bentley’s – Blue Cheese Burger with side Salad and French Onion Soup.


The Boars Head – Shepherd’s Pie


On the Friday when I arrived I went straight to Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, I found out they do adoration from the 9am mass until 9pm on Fridays, so I sat a few hours. I prayed a new way of the cross, Year of Faith Stations of the Cross by Brendan Leahy part of the CTS Year of Faith series from 2012-2013. I prayed a Rosary, now considered an extremist symbol according to an article in The Atlantic, even if they have changed the title of the article and rewritten much of it. 

I saw Richard the Third at Stratford in 1988 on a grade 13 class trip. Colm Feore played Richard then and played him now. The first time was on the main festival stage, and this time was in the brand new state of the art Tom Patterson Theatre. The production was wonderful. Upon entering the theatre the stage was set up like a construction site. With graffiti about where it was, truth, royals … And the play opened with construction workers finding the grave of Richard in 2012. A news caster starts a broadcast. Telling of those events and as the stage is cleared Richard rises out of the hole to begin the play. The staging was magnificent. The costumes stunning, and the acting superb. There were a few race swaps, as to be expected these days. The costume for Richard really made me think of Liam’s spine before his surgery. After the play I went to a garden behind the theatre and had a conversation with Jamie Mac, who played Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, I showed him my son’s before and after pictures and he checked to see if I could get pictures of the costumes but they were already tucked away. He showed me pictures of himself in his version of the costume as he is the understudy. 




My son's before and after, and Richard's costume scoliosis.
My son and I went and saw it together later and he loved the depiction.

Hamlet I had mixed feelings about. This play was at the main festival theatre. The costumes were updated. The guards had guns and earpieces. Modern suits and clothing. The staging was spectacular. The updated costumes worked rather well. Starting with King Hamlet’s body in a glass coffin centre stage and having it rise a few times was well done. There are several race swaps, which were well done, and at least 1 gender swap also well done, Ijeoma Emesowum as Guildenstern was excellent. Hamlet is played by Amaka Umeh, I found her voice high pitched and grating, and her hands constantly fluttered. I have seen Hamlet portrayed as indecisive, brooding, and overly introspective. I have seen several versions on stage and film. But this version appeared flighty at best. It was distracting. I would love to see it again with the understudy as the rest of the production was excellent. Or I would love to see a production with Austin Eckert who played Laertes cast in the role of Hamlet. At the intermission I head a group talking that had seen an all-female production of Hamlet a few years ago and they mentioned disappointment in the portrayal in this production as well. 



I ended up going to this one because of cost and my conversation with Jamie Mac, he had mentioned he was in this one as well, and I was aware Colm starred in it also. Of the 15 cast in The Miser I believe 8 are in Richard III and another 4 are in Hamlet. There is a language warning and mature content warning on this one. The set is stunning. The performances are excellent. Several race swaps. A number of laugh out loud moments. And a completely farcical ending. It was entertaining and very well done. Colm has a long flowing wig and I could not help but think about William Hartnell as Doctor Who. 



I was also very interested in the brand new Hamlet 911 but tickets were out of my budget. It is a new play commissioned by the Stratford Festival written by Ann-Marie Macdonald. The description is: “Hamlet-911 brings us into the life of fictional actor Guinness Menzies who has landed his dream role of Hamlet at the Stratford Festival. But just before a matinée performance, he suddenly finds himself in the Underworld, a strange realm as frightening as it is hilarious, where time is seriously out of joint. Has he gone mad? Is he dreaming? Has he died? Meanwhile, teenager Jeremy attempts to reach out to Guinness online as he wrestles with his own version of Hamlet's famous life-or-death dilemma.”

And that was my weekend of three’s! 


Reviews of Other Stratford Productions:
The Tempest - Stratford Festival 2019 
Richard III – 2022
Hamlet – 2022
The Miser – 2022
King Lear – 2023
Grand Magic – 2023
Cymbeline – 2024
Twelfth Night – 2024
As You Like It - 2025  
Annie - 2025 
Goblin Oedipus -  2025 
The Tempest - 2026  
Othello - 2026   
Saturday, Sunday, Monday - 2026 
…

Reviews of Shakespeare Movies:
Cymbeline – 2014

Related Posts:

Books by Ted Neill:
Post Apocalyptic Space Shakespeare Series:
Twelfth Night
As You Like It
A Mid Summers’s Night Dream
…

Shakespearean Shorts from Pettyfeather Publishing:

Guy Hale's Shakespeare Murders Series:
3. Put Out the Light 
4. Sleep No More  
…
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Saturday, 24 September 2022

Coven - Declan Finn - Saint Tommy NYPD Book 7

Coven
Saint Tommy, NYPD Book 7
Declan Finn
ISBN 9798821256294
eISBN 9798201053215
ASIN B09ZRRJF9V
 

I have read 11 books by Declan Finn in the last few months. And I had read 1 a few years back. I have absolutely loved what I have read to date. I have plans to read all that I can lay my hands on. This is another great story in an excellent series. These books just keep getting better and better. Often when writing reviews in a series I open the previous review and modify it. But this is a fresh review from scratch. 

The description of this story is:

“Detective Thomas Nolan has finally returned home. In typical police fashion, he is welcomed home with a murder case and gunfire.

After one arrest goes spectacularly wrong, Tommy is assigned another case and another dead body.

But everything goes wrong from the start of the case. The deceased is a member of a nearby military base, and no one wants to answer his questions. A local bodega gives him mind-splitting headaches. Worst of all, someone is after his children.

To make matters worse -- Tommy no longer has his charisms.”

This story in some ways reminded me of Tom Clancy’s Clear and Present Danger, in that there are several different subplots that start out separately and come together in the end. Tommy and his partner Alex are investigating a murder of a military man. They son find out there is a link to the Triple D’s and a newly reactivated military base. We also have the CPS threatening to take Tommy’s kids, with both his precinct and the Church helping to hide his wife and children. An epic battle underground in the subway featuring vampires, werewolves, hell hound’s, people in body armour, ghouls, and “something that was one part crab (the legs), one part scorpion (the claws), and one part Abrams tank. Its head nearly scraped the tunnel wall, and its width took up over half the width of the passage. The head was misplaced on the body—that of a praying mantis.” And that is just some of the action. 

In this story we find out more about Tommy’s time in Rome, and the training that he and his family received. But when we get to the climatic battle a mystic artefact is used against Tommy and he finds out his ring has even more power than he had expected. 

The action in this story was nearly non-stop. It is part mystery, part action, and part thriller. It is an excellent read in a great series. Definitely not for all readers. But it is Catholic fiction writ large. Finn does a good job of walking the line. And this story is a much better read than a lot of what I read in high school or university. I absolutely love Tommy’s example of faith and living out that faith. I really appreciate how Tommy prays his way through battles, fights, and to be honest most situations. Finn has written incorporating a lot of truths of the Catholic Faith into these stories. The incident in the court room was confirmed from different source just the day after I finished read this book. It is one of the thinks I love most about these books. 

This is a great story in a highly entertaining series. I have read books from three different series by Finn and can say I enjoyed them all. The books in this series should be read in order as they are a continuous story. I can easily recommend this book and these stories to mature readers. Finn does a masterful job of blending faith and fiction and thereby crafting excellent stories! 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by Declan Finn:
Love At First Bite Series:

The Last Survivors Series:
…

Convention Killings Series:
…

Pius Series:
A Pius Legacy
A Pius Stand
Pius History
Pius Tales (Anthology)
…
Pius Trilogy Short Stories:
...

St. Tommy Series:

Top Secret Service Series:

Dances with Werewolves Series:
…
…

White Ops Series:
…

Land&Sea Season 2:
...

Other books:
...

Anthologies contributed to:
Luna: Planetary Anhtology Series Book 2
Supernatural Streets
Starflight: Tales From The Starport Lounge
Mercury: Planetary Anthology Series Book 4
Venus: Planetary Anthology Series Book 5
Mars: Planetary Anthology Series Book 7
Places Beyond the Wild: A Z-Day Anthology
Shoot the Devil: Ten Tales of Humans Defeating the Demonic
Fantastic Schools, Volume 6
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Friday, 23 September 2022

In His Zone 7 Principles for Thriving in Solitude - Father Mark Goring

In His Zone: 
7 Principles for Thriving in Solitude
ISBN 9781533115904


This is the fourth volume I have read by Father Mark Going, and I have read at least that number from his Saint Mark’s School of Reading. This book is different than the others I have read by Father Mark, but like all the others it is an excellent read. 

The description of the book is:

“As disciples of Jesus our hearts are meant to burn with love unceasingly. Solitude is a wonderful place to learn how to kindle this fire into flame. It can then become a constant source of delight within us. This warmth is unique and does not compare with any other stirrings the heart can experience. The Holy Fire that comes from the Spirit is distinctive. When it comes we perceive that it comes from an inexhaustible source. We go to solitude to be still so that the Holy Spirit will come to us and make His home in us. We go to solitude to learn to enjoy the delight of this Holy Fire; to be in His Zone. So, Father Mark decided to camp on a raft for eight days as he wanted to see if these seven principles for thriving in solitude were as effective as he thought them to be.”

The description on the back of the book is:

“In His Zone:

I decided I would put myself in a situation of more radical solitude…

I would build a raft.

I would spend eight days on this raft with only a few basic items.

The raft would be on a secluded lake in the woods where I would be sure to not have any human contact…

I wanted to see if these principles were as effective as I thought them to be.”

The Chapters in this book are:

Introduction
Why I'm Here
The Raft
His Zone
1 Solitude will try to kick you out
2 The First Demon to pitch his 
     tent next to you when you enter 
     solitude is the Demon of Laziness 
3 Ora et Labora
4 Beware of the Demon of Busyness
5 Beware of the Noonday Demon
6 Keep the Rhythm and the
     Rhythm will Keep You.
7 Eat Well 
Summary 
What Happened
Conclusion
Retreat Notes
About the Author

I read this book over a few days while the children were all away and I was off work. I enjoyed the volume over several coffees and teas. It was amazing to read about Father Mark’s experiences and lessons from his time in solitude. I highlighted many passages while reading this volume. Some of them are:

“This book is written for those who are planning on building a raft, putting it on a secluded lake and then sitting on it for a few days. I'm really hoping this will be a best seller.”

“And finally some would see eight days alone on a raft as a spiritual quest. A way of cutting oneself off from the world and its distractions in order to be alone with God-to literally leave the earth for a while. To seek the Lord's Presence and to hear His voice.”

“When I was newly ordained I bought myself a piece of land in the bush and built myself a little cabin. I wanted to have a place where I could recharge my batteries and enjoy a little solitude. Having a cabin in the woods was something I dreamed of since I was a young teenager. As a teenager I was inspired by the saints who spent time in solitude.”

“During the years of wrestling with the challenges of solitude I have discovered and learned to rely upon seven principles. These principles are mostly my own articulation of things repeatedly taught by the contemplative tradition of the Church, especially from the Desert Fathers.”

“I decided I would put myself in a situation of more radical solitude where I would not be able to depend on the familiarity and comfort of my cabin. I would build a raft. I would spend eight days on this raft with only a few basic items. The raft would be on a secluded lake in the woods where I would be sure to not have any human contact. The goal would be to not only survive but to thrive.”

“One concept I want to define before I get into the seven principles is something I call "His Zone." To be in His Zone is the goal of solitude. To be in His Zone is to experience supernatural peace. This peace is not the type of peace that the world offers us but a peace that this world does not know. This peace is not something we can produce on our own but is received and infused. It is a gift from God that cannot be acquired through any human effort. We cannot make God give us this supernatural peace but we can dispose ourselves to it.”

“The following are the Seven principles I followed in order to be in His Zone on 11iy raft. These principles consist of 4 warnings and 3 pieces of practical advice.
The first principle is a warning.”

“The first principle is simply a reality check: being alone and in silence is just plain hard. If you decide to enter into solitude, prepare for resistance.”

“There are many things in life that look really easy but when we try them we realize how hard they are. The first time I tried surfing I thought it would be easy. "How fun it will be to play in those beautiful blue waves", I thought. Those waves almost killed me! Solitude is the same. She is more powerful and less tame than we might perceive.”

“When people imagine what kind of demons must attack those who are in solitude, most would think of lust or pride or maybe gluttony. The fact is that laziness is the first and most constant temptation in solitude.”

“It is not uncommon for someone who spends an extended time in solitude to enter into a mild but chronic depression.

The writings of the Desert Fathers are filled with warnings about lethargy, despondency, melancholy, indolence, acedia and other forms of gloominess.”

“ORA ET LABORA

If I could only use two words to describe how to thrive ill solitude they would be: keep busy. If I could only use one it would be: pray!”

“Man was made to work. Meaningful work brings joy to the heart. When one enters into solitude, one needs to be ready to not only pray, but also to work.”

“The value and importance of a rhythm is not limited to life in a monastery or a hermitage. I believe that every Christian should have a rhythm of life that helps him to live for God. We should constantly be fine tuning our daily routine so that our life is lived with a beautiful rhythm that resonates with the uniqueness of who we are. A well tuned rhythm and a good routine makes being in His Zone so much easier.”

“And so those are the seven principles that I relied upon to thrive on my little raft I was prepared for the resistance Lady Solitude would surely offer. 1 knew that the Demon of Laziness would be my constant companion. The Demon of Busyness would surely have lots of projects to distract me with. And of course the Noonday Demon could be trusted to make his daily visit.”

I hope those few quotes will give you a feel for this book. And inspire you to pick it up and give it a read. I loved this book. I just wish this and the other books by Father Mark Goring were available electronically. Especially with my dual form of dyslexia, eBooks are far more accessible, as the page color, font, and even font spacing can be changed to make reading easier. My son saw me reading this and he has asked to read it next. I highly recommend this little volume.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Father Mark Goring:

Notebooks by Father Mark:
Disciple Notebook: Discipleship. Living in the Spirit. Evangelization 2018
Disciple Notebook: Discipleship. Living in the Spirit. Evangelization 2019

Non-English Editions:
San Jose el Protector: Una Preparacion de Nueve Dias para Consagrarse a San Jose
Duc Thanh Giuse Dang Bao Tro: Chin Ngay Chuan Bi de Dang Minh Cho Duc Thanh Giuse
…
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Thursday, 22 September 2022

Ahead of the Game - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 10

Ahead of the Game
DCI Logan Book 10
ISBN 9781912767298
ASIN B08PT5JYX6


Oops! I skipped book 9. I should have realized when there were a few references to things I did not recall. So now I need to go back and read book 9 A Snowball's Chance in Hell, before continuing on. This was a great story! Even if I have ended up reading them out of line. It is an excellent read in a great series! This is the thirteenth volume from J.D. Kirk that I have read in the last few months. I have enjoyed all that I have now read, the first 8 and the 10th in the DCI Logan series and the first 3 in the Robert Hoon series, and a stand alone VIP exclusive short story. I picked the first for a few reasons, but mainly because authors Alex Smith and JE Mayhew have both recommended the author and series. I am a big fan of Smith’s DCI Kett novels and Mayhew’s DCI Will Blake Series. I had no idea how addictive Kirk’s books would be. Like Mayhew and Smith, Kirk publishes under various names. Kirk publishes children books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. He is coming up on 175 books across the three pen names. Seriously! If I had known that or I might not have picked up this first one. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. For now I will try and read the remaining books published as Kirk.

The description of this novel is:

“When a body is discovered at a popular Highland landmark, it seems like just another day on the job for DCI Jack Logan and his team.

Except this body is missing a very vital component, and given its location - The Well of Seven Heads - it seems like someone is trying to send a message. But why? And to whom?

With pressure mounting from his superiors, six hundred teenagers baying for blood, and the press sniffing around for a scandal, the only chance Jack has of cracking his latest case is if he finds a way to keep the heid, while all around are losing theirs.

Ahead of the Game is the tenth book from bestselling Scottish crime author, JD Kirk, and is perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart Macbride, and Val McDermid.”

In these stories often the murders are gruesome. The humour is dark. And the Scottish temperament comes out from several different characters. But that being said the characters are written wonderfully. You can’t but enjoy Logan and his interactions with his team and even the new Chief Superintendent. After a body is found without its head at the Well of the Seven Heads the team is on the road again. How far can a head be thrown, we are informed it all depends on hair. But to find out why you will need to read and find out. The crime in this story is pretty twisted. I had a good idea who had committed the crime, but I was completely surprised by why. And with a wedding in the recent past and one looming Logan has to deal with some feelings. We get a deeper look into Logan’s mind and a bit into his heart in this one! 

I will warn you I definitely laughed at the ending. And Hoon’s appearance in this story was a surprise. This is another great read in an excellent series. The two series written under the pen name J.D. Kirk are definitely Scottish Mysteries, and I can see the comparisons with both Smith and Mayhew’s works. Every time I finish a book by Kirk it takes willpower not to just pick up the next one and keep going. I can state that I will be reading all the DCI Logan books and the Robert Hoon Series as well. I know I will be reading all the books published buy this author under this name. And once caught up branching out into his other works. I love that the stories are set in Scotland! This book and series would be great reads for fans of Jack Reacher, DCI Kett or DCI Will Blake. A great read in an excellent series! A great read in an excellent series! And now to circle back and read book 9 A Snowball's Chance in Hell.

Books by J.D. Kirk:
…

DCI Logan Series:

Robert Hoon Thrillers:

DI Heather Filson Series:

Contributed to:
Everyday Kindness: A Collection of Uplifting Tales to Brighten Your Day
…

Books as Barry J. Hutchison:
Dan Deadman Space Detective Series:
…

Space Team Series:
The Search for Splurt 
Song of the Space Siren 
The Guns of Nana Joan 
Return of the Dead Guy 
Planet of the Japes 
The Time Titan of Tomorrow 
The King of Space Must Die 
Sting of the Mustard Mines 
Sentienced to Death
The Hunt for Reduk Topa
…
A Lot of Weird Space Shizz: Collected Short Stories
…

Sidekicks Initiative Series:

The Bug Books Series:
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
…
Complete Season One
…

Other Books:
…

Children’s books as Barry Hutchison:
Invisible Fiends Series:
The Crowmaster 
Doc Mortis 
The Beast 
The Darkest Corners 
…

Afterworlds:
The Missing Remote of the Apocalypse
The Book of Doom 
...

Benjamin Blank Series:
…

Beaky Malone Series:
…

Generator Rex Series:

Living Ted Series:
Revenge of the Living Ted
Invasion of the Living Ted
…

Spectre Collectors Series:
Too Ghoul for School
A New York Nightmare!
…

Other works:
…















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